FRIED. The Burnout Podcast

Nahal Yousefian: Former Head of HR for Netflix Shares How We Should Shape the Future of Work

Feb 16, 2025

Nahal Yousefian, former Head of HR at Netflix, shares her journey through burnout and the lessons learned about workplace culture. She discusses how corporate jargon and unclear communication contribute to employee stress. Nahal emphasizes the need for honest conversations and proactive strategies to enhance well-being. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on creativity and the critical shift needed in HR practices to adapt to a changing workforce. Ultimately, Nahal advocates for a future of work that prioritizes genuine connection and mental health.

59:20

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Nahal Yousefian

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Quick takeaways

Burnout often escalates from subtle signs, highlighting the necessity of recognizing and proactively addressing well-being to avoid reaching a breaking point.

Effective communication is essential to prevent misunderstandings in workplaces, fostering an environment of trust and reducing stress-related burnout.

The rise of AI necessitates a reevaluation of workforce strategies, emphasizing continuous learning and employee wellness to adapt to changing job roles.

Deep dives

Understanding Burnout

Burnout is a significant issue affecting many individuals, often beginning with subtle signs that escalate if ignored. The conversation highlights personal experiences with burnout and its physical manifestations, such as severe pain and stress-related conditions. The host and guest share their journeys of recognizing burnout and the importance of listening to one's body to prevent reaching a breaking point. They emphasize that acknowledging burnout and taking proactive steps towards self-care and recovery is crucial for long-term well-being.

Intro

6min

Healing Journeys: Overcoming Pain and Emotional Struggles

2min

From HR to Heart: Navigating Work and Burnout

15min

Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in Communication

22min

AI and the Evolution of Creativity

4min

Navigating Change in Modern Workplaces

7min

Embracing Hope in the Future of Work

2min

Following Your Heart: A Path to Burnout Prevention

2min

Burnout Recovery works better with support. UNFRIED is our small group (5 people max!) coaching program to help guide you through your recovery. Apply now! [http://bit.ly/unfried]

Burnout thrives in the spaces where people aren’t saying what they really mean.

In this episode, Cait Donovan is joined by Nahal Yousefian, a former head of HR at Netflix, to talk about why work culture fuels burnout and what needs to change. Nahal shares how burnout hit her hard—so hard she physically couldn’t move—and why that moment forced her to rethink everything.

Nahal pulls back the curtain on corporate dysfunction, from empty jargon to leadership that talks in circles. Why are companies obsessed with being “strategic” while refusing to make clear decisions? Why does psychological safety feel like a buzzword instead of a real priority? And what happens when employees finally get tired of playing along?

This episode cuts through the noise and makes the case for honest conversations, smarter work structures, and a workplace where well-being isn’t treated like an afterthought.

Quotes

“The leader was talking about apples, the employees talking about oranges, and HR is in the middle trying to get them to see that they’re talking about two different things.” (16:16 | Nahal Yousefian)
“I think after 20 years in the business, which was last summer, I started to realize that with the coming up of AI and the sort of technology and the social media platforms and avenues, I think that I would be able to exact change faster coming out than being inside a corporation.” (10:11 | Nahal Yousefian)
“In a day and age where generations coming into the workplace are demanding authenticity, corporate jargon has gone even more on steroids than ever before.” (22:33| Nahal Yousefian)
“If you look at the numbers, it’s a mathematical game where the number of managers who will judge you for asking questions versus the ones that won’t. We tend to go with the 80-20 rule. We know 20% of the managers are going to create a fair environment and I’m scared to ask questions, but 80% are okay. But because of that 20%, the employees reporting to the other 80% don’t do it either. So I think that’s the dynamic that we need to shift.” (28:44 | Nahal Yousefian)
“Following your heart is burnout prevention and burnout recovery. It’s one of the rare things that fits in both categories.” (58:32 | Cait Donovan)

Links

Connect with Nahal Yousefian:

www.thebarraisers.com

https://www.instagram.com/thebarraisers?igsh=Y3BhZTh4cTd4NW1k&utm_source=qr

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nahalyousefian/

Connect with Cait:

Initial Call with Cait: bit.ly/callcait

Initial Call with Sarah: bit.ly/callsarahv

Burnout Recovery works better with support. UNFRIED is our small group (5 people max!) coaching program to help guide you through your recovery. Apply now! [http://bit.ly/unfried]

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